For release: 01 April 2014
Racist Incident Referral and Support Service for Co. Sligo resuscitated: From dormancy to life extension
Today, 03 April 2013, is a special day for people of Sligo as they celebrate the extension of Racist Incident Referral Service for Co. Sligo as a result of successful and noticeable achievement of the initial Racist Incident Referral and Support Service project including the setting up of the first ever racist incidents database and the formation of Sligo Intercultural Forum which is the voice for ethnic minority groups living in Co. Sligo led.
This extension which will enable to transform Racist Incident Referral and Support Project into a service for co. Sligo is the result of a tender awarded to Sligo Family Resource Centre by Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership. The funding has been provided by the PEACE lll Programme through the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund managed for the Special EU programmes Body by Sligo County Council on behalf of Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee.
The next 7 months will be devoted at improving administrative papers and policies, supporting the interagency and providing training to members of Sligo Intercultural Forum to become a key player in voicing and helping to solve issues pertaining to ethnic minority communities’ integration.
Highlighting the need for a service such as racist incident support and the achievements of Racist Incident Referral and Support Service Project, Deo Ladislas Ndakengerwa, project coordinator said that,’’ this service has played a huge role in promoting community cohesivity and providing space and face for victims and witnesses to report racist incidents. Now that we all know that some members of our society are still experiencing racism, it is imperative that we stay commuted to uniting our efforts to eradicate racism. I am very glad that this commitment is expressed through this funding extension. Nevertheless, it would be ideal if this service was mainstreamed to allow proper planning and continuous service.’’
Martina Kilgallon, chairperson of Sligo FRC, stated that: “this service will be of enormous value to all the people of Sligo, creating a place to live that is inclusive of all and values each one of us equally”.
Racism is a specific form of discrimination and exclusion faced by minority ethnic groups. It is based on the false belief that some ‘races’ are inherently superior to others because of different skin colour, nationality, ethnic or cultural background.
For further information contact Deo Ladislas Ndakengerwa, Project coordinator: 0719146315/0899696224
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EDITOR NOTES:
• The PEACE III Programme is a distinctive programme part-funded by the European Union (€225 million from the EU with further national contributions of €108 million) through its Structural Funds programme. The full title of the PEACE III Programme is the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. The programme covers the period 2007-2013.
• The main aims of the PEACE III Programme are to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation by assisting activity and projects that help to reconcile communities and contribute towards a shared society for everyone.
• This project has been funded by the PEACE lll Programme through the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund managed for the Special EU programmes Body by Sligo County Council on behalf of Sligo Peace & Reconciliation Partnership Committee.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Name: Deo Ladislas Ndakengerwa
Tel: 071 9146315/ 0899696224
Email: ndalas.sfrc.rirsd.coordinator@gmail.com
